Rekha Gupta Engages with Delhi L-G, Asserts Claim to Establish New Government

New Delhi, Feb 19 (NationPress) Rekha Gupta, the Leader of the BJP Legislative Party in the Delhi Assembly, met with Lt Governor V.K. Saxena at the Raj Niwas on Wednesday to formally assert her claim to establish the new government.

This meeting with L-G Saxena occurred just hours after the senior BJP leadership selected her as the candidate for the chief ministerial role, continuing the party's recent trend of appointing 'dark horses' to lead the government, similar to choices made in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh.

A message on X from the official account of the L-G stated: "Smt Rekha Gupta, who leads the BJP Legislative Party in the Delhi Assembly, met Hon’ble LG, Shri V.K. Saxena at Raj Niwas and claimed her position to form the new Government of the NCT of Delhi. Hon’ble LG acknowledged her claim and invited her to create the new government."

Earlier on Wednesday, following nearly two weeks of uncertainty surrounding the next Chief Minister of Delhi, first-time MLA Rekha Gupta was designated as the leader of the BJP legislative party, clearing the way for her ascension to the top office in a ceremony scheduled for Thursday.

At the age of 50, Gupta, representing Shalimar Bagh, was elected during a meeting of the BJP legislative party at the state party headquarters on Pant Marg, overseen by two central observers – former Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and BJP National Secretary Om Prakash Dhankhar.

As discussions commenced to select the BJP legislative party leader, there was considerable speculation regarding a female legislator assuming the role, which was confirmed with Gupta's election, making her the fourth woman to serve as Chief Minister of Delhi following Sushma Swaraj (BJP), Sheila Dikshit (Congress), and Atishi (AAP).

The BJP's Delhi unit expressed congratulations via a post in Hindi on its X handle, stating, "Warm congratulations and best wishes to Mrs. Rekha Gupta ji on her election as the leader of the Delhi BJP Legislative Party. We have complete confidence that the state will thrive under your guidance."

Gupta, who is professionally an advocate, expressed gratitude to the top BJP leadership for their trust in her.

"I sincerely thank the senior leadership for believing in me and entrusting me with the Chief Minister's position. This confidence and support have inspired me with renewed energy and motivation. I commit myself to work with utmost integrity, dedication, and commitment for the benefit of the residents of Delhi. I am fully devoted to the significant responsibility of elevating Delhi to new heights," Gupta stated in a post on X in Hindi.

Among those congratulating the Chief Minister-designate were Union Ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nirmala Sitharaman, and Dharmendra Pradhan, as well as outgoing Delhi CM Atishi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and his Haryana and Rajasthan counterparts Nayab Singh Saini and Bhajan Lal Sharma, along with Delhi MP Bansuri Swaraj and former Union Minister Harsh Vardhan.

"... The party has assigned a significant responsibility. To meet this challenge, considerable strength and collective effort are necessary. Today is a day for celebration, and work will commence tomorrow," her husband Manish Gupta remarked to IANS following the announcement.

The 'giant-killer' Parvesh Verma, son of former Chief Minister Sahib Singh Verma and victor over AAP convenor and former CM Arvind Kejriwal in the New Delhi constituency, is being considered for the Deputy Chief Minister role, although no official declaration has been made.

Veteran BJP leader Vijender Gupta, who previously served as the Leader of the Opposition in the outgoing Assembly, is likely to be appointed as the new Speaker.

Even before Gupta's name was announced, celebrations erupted at her residence. She is a former president of the Delhi University Students Union, along with roles as a municipal councillor and Mayor of the erstwhile SDMC.

The new Chief Minister's swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to take place at the iconic Ramlila Maidan on Thursday.

During the ceremony, she will take the oath of office and secrecy from Lt Governor Saxena, in the presence of senior BJP leaders and representatives from allied parties. A group comprising car drivers, auto drivers, and slum-dwellers is expected to be prominently featured at this event.

The oath-taking ceremony will occur from 11 a.m. to 12:34 p.m., with the Chief Minister's swearing-in set for 12:05 p.m.

Prominent political figures expected to attend include Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Lt Governor Saxena, alongside over 200 BJP MPs and MLAs, as well as invited religious leaders.

The selection of the new Chief Minister’s name had been kept under wraps until now, likely due to delays caused by the Prime Minister's trips to France and the US.

The BJP, which has not held power in Delhi since 1998, achieved a resounding victory in the 2025 Assembly elections, securing 48 seats in the 70-member Assembly and reducing the AAP to 22.